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What are they doing back already? I haven't even made contact with the republic yet. Carth turned, hearing the footsteps, expecting to see Revan and Treg. Instead his eyes met with a Rodian who had a blaster pointed directly at him. Carth quickly weighed his options, bringing his hands up in surrender. I need to buy some time.

"This is too easy" the Rodian replied pressing his finger against the trigger.

The shocked expression on Carth's face continued as he brought his head down, staring at the wound that had been left in his side. He struggled to understand how quickly the event had happened but his mind was growing foggy. His vision clouded and he felt the weakness rise from his knees, up his thighs as they could no longer support the weight they were responsible for. He landed on the hard metal floor as it tried to rebuke the body that fell upon it. His face smashed down, unaware of the cold squares on the grate that now supported him. Not like this. Not after everything I've been through, not like this. Disbelief gave way to awareness as he began to accept what had just happened. And just as quickly, it all went dark.

"Search the rest of the ship" the Rodian commanded to his partner.

He felt her kisses, heard her playful tone as the vision of Morgana turned into visions of Revan. Dustils face took on the shape of a small boy, Aaron and a daughter he never had a chance to know slid away from him. Thirty plus years of his life were wrapped up in a few seconds as it played before him. REVAN! His mind screamed as pain and anguish dared to defeat him. No, not like this!

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"So, how do you end up meeting with these contacts?" Treg inquired.

"Well, some are easily laid out. Others, I have to search a bit more for." She looked at him, "Those are usually the best ones."

"Why is that?"

"Because I tend to find out more than I expected. Take you for example, I simply knew that recruits were being sought on the planet. I poked around and discovered your plight. A bit more digging and I discovered that your roommates had left the planet. No Jedi powers needed to raise a suspicious eyebrow at that. Then I just set some seeds, asked for a meeting with you… and the rest is history." She grinned at him.

"So you already knew all about me?"

"No, not really, just tidbits, nor did I know what you would tell me, or if I could trust you."

"And now?"

She smiled, "I know a lot more and I trust you completely."

"And why is that?"

"I'm not sure really. Maybe it's because I know what it's like to have someone not trust you, even though your intentions are good." She gave him a playful elbow to his side, "Or maybe it's your charming personality and the way you greeted me when we first met." Her playfulness left, "You've been a good friend. I brought you into my mess and I apologize."

"Hey, don't apologize. I came willingly, even after you told me in no such terms that it could be dangerous."

"I did?"

"Yes, when you threw that damn baton at me and said I'd either learn to fight or be left for dead."

As astonished look crossed her face. "I never said that."

A laugh escaped his lips, "Yes you did! And I have to say, you scared the hell out of me!"

She grew serious, "I'm sorry Treg. I shouldn't have insisted you come along. I apologize and I've felt guilty about it, if something would happen…"

He stopped and made her look at him, "Don't feel guilty. Even before you told me your story I knew the stakes were high and I still came along willingly. It was my decision, I accept the responsibility. Now, what's our next step?"

"Patience." She smiled at him, unsure if she believed her own words. In all honesty she had no clue where to begin her search for this next contact. They had already canvassed the area where they were supposed to find them. Instead they had only met an empty shop, long abandoned, amongst rows of other empty buildings. "I guess we need to find out why all these shops are empty."

"So…" he pressed.

"We hang out, check out the town, talk to the locals. Blend in."

"For some reason I can never imagine you blending in, just by your sheer presence, but if you insist."

"I insist" she smiled. "There, let's see what they have to say."

"Them? A bunch of drunks?"

"Yep, perfect!" She moved off steadily towards the four men that were arguing politics with a lone woman.

"The republic vessels above will only strengthen our position. They will signify that we are a planet that the Sith dare not touch." The middle aged woman spoke.

"Yah, and perhaps it'll just make 'em wipe us out even sooner." One of the drunks argued. The others muttered in agreement.

She continued, "Perhaps they know of a threat we don't.

There is a reason they have positioned such a fleet above our planet."

You got that right, Revan thought, and hopefully Carth is finding out that reason right now.

"The patrol is right on schedule, and I think those pukes are heading here right now." One of the drunks muttered.

"Is there a problem here?" The uniform clad soldier asked when he approached.

"No prollem, we're on our way." The group replied, fanning out.

"And you miss?" the soldier turned to her.

"Actually, I was wondering why the Republic is here. Although, I'm sure, you are not at liberty to discuss that. But, I only have a small measure of business to take care of on this planet, I only landed this morning. If it would be in my best interest to leave, I would be more than happy for that insight."

"Consider it done miss. Things could get pretty ugly, pretty fast around here. Or not, however, if you can take leave, I would strongly advise it."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" she inquired.

"Afraid not miss, most of the ensigns don't even know what is going on."

"But someone higher up would know?" she persisted.

"Most likely, but that's not us." He replied, a bit agitated.

"Have you heard about anyone who might fit that description, recently coming in contact with your fleet?" she pressed.

"No ma'am, sorry. And if I had, it would be classified information."

"I understand. Thank you." She nodded, giving him a display of appreciation.

"So what now?" Treg inquired after they had moved on their way.

"Well, now we spend another few hours seeing what we can find out and then we leave."

"You're worried about Carth?"

They were ready to turn, head towards the town when it happened.

She saw the Republic soldiers turn and move off briskly but that could have been for any reason. The reason she had stopped her movement, the reason she was left shaking as she stood in the concerned glare of Treg was a single word. A voice that seemed to ring out above the crowd and the footsteps, "Revan!"

She felt Treg's hand grab her elbow, "Revan?"

And then more persistently, "Revan, What's wrong?"

Her face dropped as her legs began to propel her, "Carth, he's in trouble."